Railroad-switch oiling and cleaning means.



, C. E. GRAY.

RAILROAD SWITCH OILING AND CLEANING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPLZB, IQIB. Y 1 ,298,931 Patented Apr. 1, 1919. A I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. E. GRAY.

RAILROAD SWITCH OILING AND CLEANING MEANS. v

.APPLICAIION FILED SEPT. 26. 1913.

1298931, A PatentedApn LIQIQ.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- Patented Apr. 1,1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET-3.

C. E. GRAY.

RAILROAD SWITCH OILING AND CLEANING MEANS.

APPLICAHON FILED SEPT. 26. I918.

CLARICE ELLEN GRAY, OF HAMILTON,

NEW scorn WALES, AUsrnALIA.

RAILROAD-SWITCH OILING AND CLEANING -MEANS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Application filed. September 26, 1918. Serial No. 255,835.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARICE ELLEN GRAY,

' a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Beckett street, Hamilton, Newcastle, in the State of New South "Wales, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Switch Oiling and Cleaning Means, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch points of either railroads (in the ordinary acceptance of the term) or of street railroads commonly called tramways, and the word railroad as herein used is intended to mean either or both.

The object of this invention is to provide simple-and effective means for automatically maintaining free of accumulations of dust, surfaces of railroad chairs on which switch rails are supported and moved in operating the switch, and of supplying lubricant to said surfaces so that the switch rails move freely thereon, and by the automatic performance of these functions greatly diminish the labor and consequent expense involved by frequent periodical cleaning and lubricating now usually practised, and economize oil and the cotton waste used in cleaning With these objects the invention consists firstly in the combination with the switch rail and each chair requiring cleaning and lubricating, of automatic scraping and lubricating means attached to said switch rail and operating to clean the chair surface and supply thereto a small amount of lubricant at each movement of the rail occurring in the operation of the switch.

The invention also consists in a special construction of lubricator constituting also a scraper, and means for mounting said lubricator.

The invention further consists of the combination with certain of said lubricators, associated chairs, and the switch rail, of additional scrapers.

The invention still further consists of the combination of said lubricating and scra ing means, switch rail, and chairs, of ad itional lubricators attached to the stock rail and supplying lubricant to the surface of such chairs as support that portion of the switch rail which does not move a sufiicient distance to enable the before said lubricating means to be effective over the whole area required to be lubricated.

The invention as regards constructional details and its application to simple railway switch points is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that its application to tramway switch points will require only such modification as are necessitated by altered conditions and construction of switch.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a simple set of points fitted with lubricating means according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional plan (on a larger scale) on line 2. 2. of Fig. 1, showing the construction and arrangement adopted in respect of the first three chairs from the. point of the switch rail.

Fig. 3 is a similar view on line 3. 3. of Fig. 1, showing the lubricator carried on a bracket, this being the construction and arrangement adopted in respect of the fourth to seventh chairs inclusive.

Fig. 4c is a perspective view of a portion of the inner side of the switch rail at or about the point thereof, showing the additional scraper attachment bearing on the chair surface and a slot in the flange for the reception of the stem of the lubricator shown in Fig. 2, and a portion of a chair.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional elevation of the same also showing a portion of the flange of the stock rail.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a portion of the inner side of the switch rail about its mid-length, showing a bracket for attachment of the lubricator in certain stated positions, and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the same, also showing the lower portion of the lubricator stem.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lubricator with its attachment studs, and

Fig. 9 a. cross sectional elevation through one of the end lugs thereof.

Fig. 10 is a'longitudinal sectional elevation of the lubricator, and

Fig. 11 a cross sectional elevation on line 11. 11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 illustrates in cross sectional elevation the stock rail and switch rail and the chair supporting the heel of the latter where.

the movement is almost negligible, showing a modified form of lubricator attached to the stock rail, and a pipe conveying the lubricant to the surface of the chair underlying the flange of the switch rail.

Fig. 13 is a similar view farther from the heel of the switch rail and Where the flange of the latter partly overlaps that of the stock rail, showing a lubricator attached to the stock rail as in Fig.,12 and a modification of the oil pipe arrangement and a lubricator attached to the switch rail, and also showing a cover plate to exclude dust.

Fig. 14: is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the form, of .lubricator shown attached to the stock rail in Figs. 12 and 13, and

Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the oil'pipe arrangement shown in Fig. ,13. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary perspective .view of the upper side of. chair illustrating a special construction thereof to provide for the escape of accumulations scraped up on the movementofthe switch vrail toward the stock rail. The/first, threechairs from the switch point are of this construction.

In the figures, theswitch rails 20v andthe stock rails 21 are mounted upon chairs 22, and to saidswitch rails are attached lubricators 23 of the type shown in Figs. 3, 8 to 11. inclusive and. Fig. 13, while to the stock railsare :attachedd-u-bricators. 24L and pipes as shown {in Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive.- Said chairs are bedded onsleepers or ties The lubricators 23 shown clearly in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, .eachcomprise an oil, receptacle26 provided with'a hinged. cover 27, and internally with an upstanding tube 28 communicating at its lower .end with a vertical slot 29 formed in the length of. a stem 30 integral with and depending from the receptacle 26. The slot 29 is made by a saw-cut, the endsthereof being filled by liners 31 sweated thereinto. For facilitating this operation a hole-32 is bored horizontally and longitudinally through the stem 30 and the ends of this hole are afterward plugged by screw plugs 33. 7

From the ends of the lubricator. eXtend lugs 34 having square holes engaging about squared portions of studs 35 formed in'two parts hinged togetherat 36. In positions where it is inadvisable to'bore through the web or stem .ofthe switch rail (as toward the point thereof) these studsl are screwed into the flangeof the rail (see Fig. 2) and the latter is slotted as at 37 (see Fig. .4) for the reception of the stem 30 which is freely housed in said slot. In. other positions where it is undesirable. that the switchrail flange should be bored or slotted the lubricators 23 are supported by angular brackets ,38Y clearly shown in'Figsr3, 6 and 7 and each secured to the webof the switch rail by a stud 39. .These brackets'are slotted as at 40 for the reception of the dependent stem 30;and the studs 35 are'screwed into them.

f The lugs 34 of the lubricators are passed over thestuds 35,.andsprings41 are inserted between them and the stud-nuts 42 which are screwed down sufliciently to cause an active pressure of the flat faced ends of the stems 30 on the faces 43 of the chairs 22. T1118 resilient pressure together with the hinged construction of the studs 35 compensates for any subsidence of the chair or rocking of the rail, and maintains constant contact between the face of each stem 30 and the face 43 of its associated chair. Both these faces are truly surfaced so that the said contact results in a p-ractically oil tight sliding joint preventing the free escape of oil f rom ,under the stem face. The square lateral edges of the stems act as scrapers on the chair surfaces-as and when the switch rail is moved .ing device, comprising ablade 48 arranged transversely across thecharr face'and attached to thefree ends of apair of spring arms 49 bearing at their other ends upon the flange of the switch rail and secured thereto byset screws 50 which exert a down- Ward pressure on said arms and cause the lower, edgeof the blade 48 to make resilient contact with the face of the chair (see Figs.

4c and 5). The blade48 is disposed as close to the adjacent edges off the fiange co f,;the switch railfas v is appropriately possible. And asit is inadvisable to make theslo'ts 37 in the switch rail flange longer than is .nec-

essary, said slots are .made, considerably shorter than the width of the chair face and the stems 30 0f the lubricators are appropriately proportioned.

It will be seen on reference to and 5 that the stem 30 ofv the lubricator 23 is so located in the, flange of ,.the switch rail that the lower lateral e'dgebfsaidfstemf adjacentto the web of the switch rail reaches the edge of a recess 58 in the chain when the switch rail is in its extreme position to- :ward the stock rail. ,,By this arrangement .dust, accumulated on the chair surfacebe tween the rails is scraped bycthe lubricator stem 30 into the said recess. The construc tionofthelatterjis clearly shown in Fig. 16, thebottom being-formed by two surfaces 59 inclined downwardly in opposite directions I from the center line toward; the edges of .t-he chair o. that d t cr ped o o them g a ita es to the edges fth i c ai andia l away, acc m la ion between th -ra flange being -.thus av ided. T e rec s 58v is provided in each chairover which a lubricator is mounted as in Figs 2 and 5. Where the lubricators 23 are carried on brackets 38, their stems extend right across the chair face, and being located beyond theedge of the flange of the switch rail operate effectively as scrapers so that the blade scraping device is dispensed with.

Oil is supplied to the receptacle 26 through the aperture normally closed by the cover 27, and to avoid introduction of foreign matter a wire gauze strainer 45 is provided, said strainer lying upon inturned flanges 16 formed about the limits of said aperture. Oil is carried from the receptacle 26 to the upright pipe 28 by a wick or trimming 47 in known manner, and from said pipe 28 it gravitates to the slot 29. By the movement of the switch rail a smear of oil of a width equal to the length of the oil slot 29 is deposited on the face 43 of the chair 22, and the oil subsequently spreads over all that portion of said face over which the switch rail moves.

For the lubrication of the chair face underlying the heel of the switch-rail where the relative movement is infinitesimal and the portion of chair face on which the said rail moves is not exposed, a lubricator 24. is bolted to the stock rail 21 by bolts passing through the lugs 51 extending from the ends of the lubricator (see Fig. 14). From one end of the lubricator 2e an oil pipe 52 in communication with a wick-fed stand pipe 53 is led through the web of the stock rail and terminally enters an oblique hole 5 formed through one of the fish plates 57 and the flange of the switch rail 20.

In positions where the lateral movement of the switch rail is slightly greater than at the heel, as for instance at the next three chairs, and the flange of said switch rail partly overlaps that of the stock rail, see Fig. 13, the oil pipe 52 is led under the flange of the stock rail 21 and then turned to lie parallel with the latter and under the cut away portion of the flange of the switch rail (see Figs. 13 and 15). To prevent dust intruding under the overlapping portion of the flange of the stock rail, an angular cover plate 55 is pivotally secured to the switch rail in such manner that its free edge rides upon the upper face of one side of the flange of the stock rail.

The lubricators 24: are fitted with filling plugs 56 instead of hinged covers, the former requiring less space.

By the means hereinbefore described the lubrication of switch points or turn-outs and cleaning of chair faces is effected automatically for considerable periods of time, the attention required being merely the filling and refilling of the lubricators at lengthy intervals, instead of the comparatively very frequent cleaning of and application of lubricant to the chairs as heretofore practised.

It will be noted on reference to Figs. 2 and 5, that the chair surface supporting the switch rail is at a higher elevation than that supporting the stock rail. This difference is greatest in the chair supporting the point of the switch rail as in Fig. 2, and gradually diminishes in the succeeding chairs until at,

2. In railroad switch points, the combina- I tion with the switch rails and supporting chairs, of lubricators attached to the switch rails, and each comprising an oil container and a dependent stem having a flat face bearing upon and making resilient andpractically oil-tight contact with the surface of the supporting chair located thereunder, said stem containing an oil slot opening at the face thereof, said slot being in communication with the oil container and supplied with oil therefrom by means of a wick; in further combination with spring supported scrapers operating on certain of said chair surfaces.

8. In railroad switch points, the combination with the switch rails and supporting chairs, of a number of lubricators attached to said rails and each comprising an oil container and a dependent stem having a flat face bearing upon and making practically oil-tight and resilient contact with the surface of the supporting chair located thereunder, said stem containing an oil slot opening at the face thereof and in communication with the oil container whence it is supplied with oil by means of a wick; the stems of said lubricators passing through and freely fitting slots in the switch rail flanges, said lubricators being supported upon hinged studs screwed into said flanges and engaging lugs on said lubricators, and resilient downward pressure being exerted on said lubricators by springs about said studs; in further combination with spring supported scrapers operating on the surfaces of the chairs underlying said lubricators; and in still further combination with a further number of similar lubricators carried on brackets attached to the switch rail webs and slotted to receive the lubricator stems which pass clear of the inside edges of the switch rail flanges and bear upon the surfaces of the underlying chairs; the last mentioned lubricators being supported on hinged studs screwed into said brackets, and resiliently depressed by springs about said studs.

4.?In railroad "switch *fioints, "on "each switch 'rail a series of hibri'cators supplying lubricant to the 'siirfaces of supporting chairsfeach lubricatcr 'of's'aid series comprising an oil container and a dependent stem With a fiat face spring pressed onto the sin-face of-the chair to be lubricated, said stem being provided With an oil slot'opening (in said'face and in' communication With the said oil container; someof said l'ubricw tors (those located towardthe point of the switch Tail) being held by hinged studs scr'et'vd' into the "switch 'rail flange, "while located t'ow'ardthe point of'the-switchrail;

and l'ubric'ators 4 attached to each stock rail and pipes'therefrom c'onveyin-gwil =to the chair surfaces underlying the heel and-adjacent parts of the switch rail.

Signed at Sydney, New South Wales, this fifteenth day of August, 1918. a

" CLARICE ELLEN GRAY.

' Copies of this patent may "be obtained forfive cents eachf'byad dres'sing the Commissioner 'of Pat'ents,

'WashingtonpDzC. 

